High jumper Brooklyn Failing raised the bar to new heights to represent Alberta at the Legion National Youth Track and Field Championships.
The St. Albert Mustangs Track and Field Club athlete set a personal best of 1.61 metres at the Caltaf Track Classic in mid-June at Calgary to qualify for next week’s competition in Langley, B.C.
The provincial Legion national standard for U18 females is 1.58m.
“I was like near tears when I did it,” Failing told the Gazette on her 16th birthday Tuesday while training at Fowler Athletic Park.
The mighty leap also put Failing on the provincial team for last weekend’s Western Canadian Midget and Youth Championships in Calgary.
“I really was hoping to make westerns and nationals. That was my goal for that meet and I ended up doing it so it was really nice,” said the Grade 11 Paul Kane High School student.
The bar was set at standard for Failing’s first jump at the Caltaf meet.
The second-place mark was 1.55m.
“I started higher than any of the other competitors and I was the only one to jump standard in Alberta,” Failing said. “I had a really good day at the qualifying meet. I was very happy.”
Failing’s goal for her Legion national debut is do what she does best and to enjoy the moment.
“I want to jump at a level that I normally do but I want to have fun more than anything. It’s hard to set goals that are higher than what you normally do and I don’t want to go home disappointed because it’s going to be an amazing experience.”
Failing will be joined by Mustangs' teammates Jakob Brinkhof in javelin and Jace Mix and Lewis Collins in the pentathlon at Legion nationals.
“It’s an honour because I’ve been on this team for two years and I love the coaches, I love the athletes that I compete against and train with. They’re also friendly and nice to be around. It’s not like any other sport I’ve ever done. Usually people are very competitive and almost rude but it’s different in track,” Failing said.
At westerns she placed second at 1.55m and the winner from Saskatchewan jumped 1.60m.
“It wasn’t as high as I normally go but I was happy with it,” said Failing, the fourth-place finisher at 1.50m at the recent 16-17 youth provincials in Sherwood Park.
This is Failing’s second year of serious high jumping after giving it a go in junior high at Lorne Akins School.
“The first time I ever tried it I think I was in Grade 8 and I did well at it so I joined the track club to get better and I improved by 40 centimetres in one year.”
Failing is smaller in stature than most high jumpers her age.
“I’ve got the technique down, it’s just strength I need to work on with my legs, core and arms. I need strength in order to get up and off the ground and into the air.”
